Brittney Griner endured a traumatic experience during her imprisonment in Russia, which only ended after a prisoner exchange in 2022. The Atlanta Dream star recently shared details of her humiliating treatment while incarcerated, including being forcibly stripped in front of men.
Griner was convicted in Russia and sentenced to jail, but her situation worsened when she was moved to a men’s prison before her release. She explained how Russian officials used this transfer to further degrade and intimidate her during her captivity.
Forced Transfer to Men’s Prison and Intentional Humiliation
During her interview with former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, Griner recounted the disturbing moments she faced. At the men’s prison in Moscow, she was subjected to a final act of harassment by authorities.
“I had to get transferred from the penal colony to the men’s prison in Moscow […] Their one little last play to terrorize me or mess with me […] they had me basically stripped down, butt naked in front of a room of like seven to eight men,”
—Brittney Griner, WNBA Player
She further described how the officers took photographs of her tattoos while she stood exposed in a circle, adding another layer of violation to her experience.
“They had the Polaroid and they got me standing in a circle while they [were] taking photos of my tattoos,”
—Brittney Griner, WNBA Player
Return to the United States After Ten Months
Griner spent about ten months imprisoned before being flown back to the United States as part of a swap for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death.” The exchange was a highly publicized diplomatic event during which Griner even met Bout.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Griner remarked with a mix of relief and caution about her future travels.
“In my mind, I’m like ‘I don’t plan on leaving the country ever again,”
—Brittney Griner, WNBA Player
“I’m good, we got beaches right at the US of A.”
—Brittney Griner, WNBA Player
Documenting Her Experience in a 2024 Memoir
A ten-time WNBA All-Star, Brittney Griner has shared her difficult journey through her 2024 book, “Coming Home.” This memoir chronicles her detainment in Russia, the psychological and emotional toll it took, and her eventual release back to the U.S.
Griner has been a dominant presence in women’s basketball, having played nine seasons with the Phoenix Mercury and winning a WNBA championship in 2014. Now with the Atlanta Dream, she is averaging 10.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game this season, helping the team improve after a tough previous year.
This latest book is her second memoir, following the 2014 release “In My Skin,” where she opened up about her struggles with identity and bullying on her path to becoming one of the sport’s greats. “Coming Home” offers a candid look at the intense hardships she confronted during her Russian prison ordeal, sharing insight into both her strength and vulnerability during this dark chapter.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Brittney Griner give birth to a child?
A. In July, Griner announced that she and her wife had their first child. Before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, the Phoenix Mercury athlete told CBS Sports that their baby was born on July 8. “That’s my man,” she said.
Q. Did Brittney Griner give birth to a baby?
A. Brittney Griner, who has won two Olympic gold medals, has announced the birth of her first child with her wife, Cherelle Griner. In an exclusive interview with “We Need to Talk,” Griner shared the news about her son’s arrival, saying, “He’s here. Yes, 7/8/24.”